Because there were important matters to attend to in the afternoon, the meal was quickly finished, and Magistrate Gao prepared to let everyone rest for a while.
Zhao Xian felt that getting things done was of utmost importance, and demanded that they immediately go to the fields to investigate and find a solution to the problem.
The group boarded a carriage and arrived at a large area of farmland nearby, where rice was grown in abundance. In the center of the farmland was a lake, which was connected to a river that provided it with a sufficient water source.
With the river supplying water, the lake is not easy to dry up, which is a complete gift from God to the farmers.
Zhao Xian looked around the lake and understood why the rice paddies were still experiencing drought despite having such a good water source.
This area is mostly mountainous, and the high-lying areas far from the lake make it difficult to bring water up. During the rice growing season, drought is inevitable if it doesn't rain.
Careful observation revealed that the rice paddies closer to the lake were well-irrigated, while those farther away showed signs of drought.
If the lake water could be diverted to higher ground, the problem would be solved. The waterwheel I built some time ago is not suitable for this terrain and can only be used in low-lying rice paddies.
To completely solve the drought, a new high-powered waterwheel must be designed to divert lake water to higher ground in sections.
It is not enough to simply manufacture high-powered waterwheels; we also need to dig some ditches. But digging ditches directly is not an option. How can we solve this problem?
Since we can't directly dig ditches to divert the water, we can build more waterwheels to divert the lake water in sections. Although it's more troublesome, it will eventually solve the problem.
"I have a solution," Zhao Xian said excitedly.
"Young Master Zhao, what good ideas do you have? Tell me quickly!" Magistrate Gao was pleasantly surprised.
Zhao Xian analyzed the terrain of the area and explained his approach to solving the problem.
Magistrate Gao listened attentively and felt there were still shortcomings.
"This plan should be feasible, but the waterwheels used for water diversion are definitely not suitable, as such a long waterway would require a lot of waterwheels."
The waterway was too long, resulting in huge water losses. By the time the water was transported to higher ground, the amount was insufficient, ultimately failing to solve the irrigation problem.
Zhao Xian gave Magistrate Gao a big thumbs up in his heart. This man was very smart and could see the problem at a glance.
“Magistrate Gao, don’t worry. I’m going to redesign a high-powered waterwheel that’s foot-operated and has a huge water output. Even if there’s some water loss when diverting water over long distances, it can still transport a large amount of water to higher ground and completely solve the irrigation problem.”
"That's wonderful. Please, Young Master Zhao, design this high-powered waterwheel as soon as possible."
"Of course, designing a waterwheel is only one aspect; the irrigation ditches must also be modified."
For flat areas, ditches can be dug directly to draw water. In areas with a large drop in elevation, a reservoir needs to be dug above to draw water from below into the reservoir.
After several water diversions, the lake water can be raised to a certain height, allowing irrigation of rice paddies at different elevations.
"I think this plan is feasible, so let's get started."
"Your Excellency, please gather the farmers to dig ditches as soon as possible, and also gather some carpenters to make waterwheels. If all goes well, the lake water can be drawn up within two hours to irrigate the rice paddies."
“Alright, what are your requirements for digging ditches and building reservoirs, Young Master Zhao? I’ll have the county official in charge of water conservancy come over, and you can tell him how to do it.”
Zhao Xian nodded, and soon the county official in charge of water conservancy arrived.
Zhao Xian explained to him in detail the requirements for building ditches and reservoirs. The official listened very carefully and nodded repeatedly in agreement.
After listening to Zhao Xian's instructions, the official immediately arranged for someone to carry them out.
Magistrate Gao led Zhao Xian and the others to a carpenter's shop in a nearby village and began designing a waterwheel. Before long, a two-person foot-operated waterwheel was designed.
At this time, a group of carpenters arrived as reinforcements, and Zhao Xian asked them to build waterwheels according to the blueprints.
These carpenters were very clever; they quickly understood the blueprints and began to work together to build the waterwheel.
Due to the unique terrain here, the requirements for waterwheel construction are very high, and the selection of materials is also important.
These carpenters were skilled and worked in perfect harmony, and the first foot-operated waterwheel was quickly assembled.
Zhao Xian inspected the waterwheel and ran it idle. It seemed to be working well and should be ready for normal use.
Once this waterwheel is launched into the water, it requires two people to stand on the rotating wheel and pedal with their feet in perfect coordination to turn it.
Once the waterwheel is running, it will continuously draw water up, and the output will be enormous.
Zhao Xian had the waterwheel transported to the lakeside to begin testing it and see if there were any areas that needed improvement.
The farmland by the lake is at a slightly lower elevation, so Zhao Xian plans to irrigate this part of the farmland first, and then add waterwheels in sections to irrigate farmland at a certain elevation.
The highest rice paddies require five or six waterwheels to bring water there.
At the same time, Zhao Xian ordered all the carpenters to speed up the production of waterwheels, and four or five must be made before dark.
As Magistrate Gao looked at this enormous machine, he felt a surge of excitement. This waterwheel had been created right under his nose, and he wanted to see how it would draw water from the lake.
By this time, the farmers had dug several ditches and large reservoirs, which could be used for water diversion.
Zhao Xian instructed everyone to set up the waterwheel, and then put a horizontal wooden support on top of the waterwheel. The person drawing water could hold onto the support with both hands and drive the waterwheel's wheel with their feet.
As the waterwheel turned, a large amount of lake water gushed out from the waterwheel's outlet and flowed along the long ditch into the first reservoir.
At this point, the low-lying rice paddies can be irrigated. Once the second waterwheel is completed, the water in this reservoir can be pumped into the second reservoir.
Those present finally understood what was going on. This irrigation method was ingenious. With this method, even rice paddies on higher ground could be irrigated; it just required using a few more waterwheels.
With many hands making light work, the second waterwheel arrived in less than half an hour. The group worked together to install the waterwheel, and with the two waterwheels working together, the lake water quickly flowed into the second reservoir.
People spread the news excitedly that their rice paddies were finally flooded, guaranteeing a good harvest today.
Seeing this, Magistrate Gao was filled with emotion. He should have asked Zhao Xian to come and help long ago. There are many rice paddies like this in Xinkou County, and this method of irrigation could be used.
He plans to immediately promote this irrigation method throughout the county to alleviate the drought.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
